John McCain has released new ads that call J.D. Hayworth an 'avid earmarker.'

Washington (CNN) - Sen. John McCain has released more tough ads against his Republican primary opponent, now saying that J.D. Hayworth is an "Avid Earmarker."

That is the title of the television and radio spots that the McCain campaign released statewide on Thursday. Sen. McCain is locked in a battle with the former congressman to win the GOP senate nomination in Arizona.

Both the radio and television ads cite Hayworth being "described as an 'avid earmarker.'" In a corresponding e-mail to reporters, the McCain campaign listed media reports to bolster their claim.

In the TV ad, McCain is cast as a staunch opponent "against pork barrel spending." "He fights to save us money," an announcer also says.

Then, over video of Hayworth, on-screen graphics list items that the ad says Hayworth supported while he was in Congress, including: "$220,000 to renovate Maine Blueberry farm," "$250,000 to control Maui seaweed," "$5.8 million for Vermont snowmobile trail," "$300,000 to map the genes of Michigan chickens" and "$223 million for 'Bridge to Nowhere'."

A woman at the end of the television ad says, "I just don't think we can afford J.D. Hayworth right now."

The radio ad lists three of the same items seen in the TV spot, with both spots tagging with a similar theme.

In a statement, McCain 2010 Communications Director Brian Rogers said that McCain "has never requested a pork barrel earmark," and accused Hayworth of "exploiting the corrupt and wasteful practice of earmarking and voting for billions of dollars in wasteful pork barrel spending."

Hayworth's campaign is responding to the fresh political attacks. Spokesman Mark Sanders told CNN, "The kind lady at the end of the [television] ad has it wrong. She can't afford not to have J.D. Hayworth in the Senate. Between the Wall Street bailouts and the outrageous $2.6 trillion plan for retirement benefits for illegal aliens, she really cant afford six more years of John McCain."

Regarding the listing of items that Hayworth supported while in Congress, Sanders said, "Voters are on to this old Washington trick of cherry picking measures in massive appropriation bills and using them in attack ads. John McCain has gone negative. He must be worried."

soundoff(68 Responses)

Remember....McCain "fights" to keep Arizona from getting ANY of that Socialist money....

May 27, 2010 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |

Crazy Harry

More than an Avid Earmarker. He is an avid idiot. Neither of them should be allowed to represent Arizona.

May 27, 2010 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |

Victim of GOP Taliban

There McCain goes with his earmark commentary. Not ALL earmarks are bad. Bridges to nowhere yes. But some believe it or not John do help local constituents of people elected to Congress.

May 27, 2010 05:03 pm at 5:03 pm |

nick

McCain is at it again. Self serving now and always. Always McCain first, Country after. Why else would he pick Palin? Why else would he act like a right wing extremist now and denounce being a maverick. Its time for him to retire.

May 27, 2010 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |

ray

i once had the the highest recpect for this man john mccain but not anymore. this man will say and do anything just to get elected. mccain has no shame, dignity, no integrity.no respect, no class for a man who was held as a war prisoner. once again , mccain and the rest of the right wingres will say and do anything just to get elected.

May 27, 2010 05:12 pm at 5:12 pm |

Jim in Idaho

An earmark for $223 million fior the Bridge to Nowhere? Gee, John, I guess that puts Hayworth right up there with the woman you chose to be VP doesn't it?

May 27, 2010 05:13 pm at 5:13 pm |

Preco

McCain an avid flip flopper!!!

May 27, 2010 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |

Mike S., New Orleans

McCain... is he still alive?

May 27, 2010 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |

Justin

The bridge to nowhere was for his VP running mate in Alaska.... Uh-oh, looks like Sarah will be revoking her endorsement for McCain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 27, 2010 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |

Justin

The question isn't did he vote for earmarks, the question is what bill was the earmark tied to?? If you vote no on toughening laws against child molesters because a blueberry farm gets a makeover, you will be branded pro-sex offender. Those earmarks are never the only thing being voted on.

May 27, 2010 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

IKHAN

What a dismal & pathetic showcase these idiots make of our political process. No wonder our politicians have become the laughing stock of the world.

May 27, 2010 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

cheri

Mccain will vote for amnesty, which will destory this country and cost trillions, let alone they would get free health care for illegals
if you dont want mexico to take over this country you will vote for JD

May 27, 2010 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

John McCain's battle fighting days are over and he has never done anything for Arizona that I can think of, lived there 40+ years and you would never know he was the State Senator. It's past time to retire him.

May 27, 2010 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

GI Joe

Those wars he voted for (including the one he wants on his border with OUR enlisted men and women) are one heckuva big earmark as far as I'm concerned.

And he doesn't even vote FOR benefits for the maimed from those wars - old man yells gimme gimme gimme gimme.

May 27, 2010 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Larry

Ooh--The Republicans are starting to eat their own!

McCain, go crawl back into the hole you crawled out of. Anyone would be better than you.

May 27, 2010 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Sarah, the baby seal basher

Wow these two morons must be related to Rush Limbaugh.Rushs father was a 450 pd carnival barker just like his son.hahaha

May 27, 2010 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

JonDie

...Hayworth supported..."$220,000 to renovate Maine Blueberry farm," "$250,000 to control Maui seaweed," "$5.8 million for Vermont snowmobile trail," "$300,000 to map the genes of Michigan chickens" and "$223 million for 'Bridge to Nowhere'."

McCain chose the "Bridge to Nowhere" queen as his running mate. And blueberry farms, seaweed and chickens are all economically important. Is McCain trying to drum up Democrat support for Hayworth?

May 27, 2010 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

Jasmine in Germany

I like what this poster had to say and I'm happy to repeat it: :

IKHAN May 27th, 2010 5:22 pm ET

What a dismal & pathetic showcase these idiots make of our political process. No wonder our politicians have become the laughing stock of the world.

May 27, 2010 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |

Mikey

I think this is where Joe Biden should say of McCain, "God bless him." It seems the poor guy just plain lost it two or three years ago and its probably never coming back. Thank you for your service in the military and Senate, but its time to retire, John.

And please go into a quite retirement and don't embarrass yourself the way Cheney has been.

May 27, 2010 05:36 pm at 5:36 pm |

Repulsican Nerds

Give it up, Grampy. We heard this same script during the primaries and general election of 2008. I think it's 2010, and you might need to consider a major update to your memory chip.

May 27, 2010 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Rick

King of political rhetoric, McCain... Politicians MAKE ME SICK...

DEFLECT... DEFLECT...

I will vote for NO incumbents again ...

May 27, 2010 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |

Eunice

McCain who, the MAVERICK that once was and is no more? Pathetic. Your Days are over bib boy.

May 27, 2010 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |

ThinkAgain

The whole point of electing a Representative or Senator is to have them do well by your state – and that includes getting federal dollars for deserving projects.

Typical of McCain and all the GOP: A bunch of simpletons, hoping the voters are incapable of critical thinking.

When are people going to get tired of paying the salaries of folks who treat them like idiots? Arizona needs some new blood – Democratic blood.

May 27, 2010 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |

Frank in valparaiso indiana

John had better shut up, the Central Arizona Project that provides water to Arizona is nothing but a Federal earmark. Without that, Tombstone would be a bigger and more modern town than Phoenix.